New Jersey voters give Gov. Christie a split 46 - 44 percent job approval rating and also divide
47 - 48 percent on whether they approve of his governing style, according to a Quinnipiac
University poll released today.

Voter opinion of the State Senate's failure to act on a Christie Supreme Court nominee is:

37 percent say the State Senate is protecting an independent judiciary;

32 percent call it foot-dragging.

"Overall, New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie still gets a split decision. Democrats don't
like him at all; Republicans like him a lot. His 'Jersey-guy' in-your-face governing style? An
even split," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"The governor's big mid-year scrap against the State Supreme Court was revived when
one of the seven judges called the court's current shape unconstitutional. Public opinion is
running against Gov. Christie on this issue and his overall approval rating has eroded a bit since
our last look."

New Jersey voters give Christie a slightly negative 45 - 49 percent on his handling of
education. But 63 percent say his attempt to limit salaries for school superintendents is a "good
way to help balance the budget," while 31 percent call it "meddling in local government."

By a similar 61 - 34 percent margin, voters support limiting wage increases to 2 percent
for police and firefighters.

Most politicians act based on what's popular rather than on principle, voters say 78 - 13
percent. But they say 64 - 29 percent, including 47 - 43 percent among Democrats, that Christie
acts on principal, rather than what's popular.

"Christie started the year fighting with the educational establishment and he ended it the
same way - this time with school superintendents as the target. The public seems to be with him,
saying 2-1 that he should cut superintendents' pay," Carroll said.

New York City Subway Extension to Secaucus

Voters agree 46 - 38 percent with Christie's decision to cancel a cross-Hudson rail tunnel, down
from 53 - 37 percent in a November 10 Quinnipiac University poll.

But voters say 64 - 17 percent that a New York City plan to extend the No. 7 subway line under
the Hudson River to the NJ Transit station in Secaucus is a good idea. Support is 60 - 19 percent among
Republicans, 67 - 17 percent among Democrats and 64 - 18 percent among independent voters.

New Jersey should contribute financially to building the tunnel, voters say 63 - 27 percent.

But voters oppose 49 - 40 percent spending $1 billion on the new rail tunnel idea. Democrats back
the $1 billion cost 49 - 40 percent, while opposition is 54 - 35 percent among Republicans and 53 - 36
percent among independent voters. Among the 11 percent of New Jersey voters who commute to New
York City, support is 59 - 30 percent.

"Killing the first rail tunnel plan was okay and the alternative, an extension of a New
York subway to Secaucus, is a pretty good idea, voters say. New Jersey voters even say they're
willing to pay for the new tunnel idea - until we put a billion-dollar price tag on it," Carroll said.

From December 14 - 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,276 New Jersey voters, with a
margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion
surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and nationally as a public
service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on
Twitter.

1a. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Christie is handling his
job as Governor?

TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in
New Jersey today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied,
somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? (*High also 71% Feb 1999)

12. As you may know, Christopher Christie traveled to other states to campaign
for Republican candidates in the 2010 elections. Does this make you think more
favorably of Christie, less favorably of Christie, or doesn't it make a
difference?

TREND: As you may know, Christopher Christie traveled to other states to
campaign for Republican candidates in the 2010 elections. Does this make you
think more favorably of Christie, less favorably of Christie, or doesn't it make
a difference?

15. Whether you personally agree with him or not, do you believe Governor
Christie makes decisions based on principle and what he thinks is right, or does
he make decisions based on what he thinks is popular at the time?

TREND: As you may know, Governor Christie cancelled the cross-Hudson rail
tunnel. Do you agree or disagree with Governor Christie's decision?

Dec 21 Nov 10
2010 2010
Agree 46 53
Disagree 38 37
DK/NA 16 10

24. New York City is suggesting an alternative plan to extend the number seven
subway line under the Hudson to the New Jersey transit station in Secaucus. Do
you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

26. It has been estimated that New Jersey's financial share in the new subway
line would be around one billion dollars. Would you support or oppose New Jersey
paying one billion dollars to help fund a subway line under the Hudson from
New York City to Secaucus?

28. To help balance local budgets, Governor Christie and legislative leaders
agreed to limit annual salary increases reached through arbitration for police
and firefighters to 2 percent. Do you support or oppose this limit?

TREND: As you may know, Governor Christie has said he intends to change a
historically liberal state Supreme Court. Do you think that is a good idea or a
bad idea?

Dec 21 Nov 11
2010 2010
Good idea 39 44
Bad idea 45 43
DK/NA 16 13

30. As you may know, the State Senate has refused to act on the Governor's
state Supreme Court nominee Anne Murray Patterson. Which comes closer to your
point of view: the State Senate is foot dragging or the State Senate is
protecting an independent judiciary

TREND: As you may know, the State Senate has refused to act on the Governor's
state Supreme Court nominee Anne Murray Patterson. Which comes closer to your
point of view - the State Senate is foot dragging or the State Senate is
protecting an independent judiciary?